PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities in Pamlico County are investigating the fatal shooting of a 62-year-old woman who was found dead in her Vandemere home Thursday evening. The victim, identified as Debra Balance Jones, was discovered with gunshot wounds after deputies responded to a call around 8:00 p.m. on May 29.
When deputies arrived at the residence, they found Jones unresponsive. Emergency responders confirmed she had died from her injuries. The quiet Vandemere neighborhood was quickly transformed into a crime scene as authorities began their investigation into the deadly shooting.
Following a swift investigation, officers arrested 48-year-old William Earl Toler, Jr., also of Vandemere. Toler has been charged with one open count of murder in connection with Jones’s death. In addition, he faces a charge for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, adding to the seriousness of the case.
Toler is currently being held without bond at the Pamlico County Detention Center. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Friday, May 30, in Pamlico County District Court. Authorities have not yet shared details about the relationship between the suspect and the victim or the possible motive behind the shooting.
The Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and is asking anyone with information related to the incident to come forward. Officials have not said whether there were any witnesses or if the shooting was part of a larger dispute. The community, shocked by the sudden violence, is waiting for more answers.
Jones’s death has left family members and neighbors heartbroken. Friends described her as a caring, warm individual who had lived in the area for many years. As the legal process begins, her loved ones are seeking justice while mourning a life taken too soon. More information is expected to be released as the investigation continues.